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Saffold heading elsewhere

The market developed quickly for Rodger Saffold over the weekend during the NFL's 3-day negotiating period. To the point where Saffold's agent informed the Rams on Sunday that he was heading elsewhere.

"We spoke with Kevin Demoff numerous times over the weekend," the agent, Alan Herman, told the Post-Dispatch on Sunday evening. "But we're probably going to move in another direction."

There's no deal done at this moment. But there were widespread rumors Sunday that Oakland and Tampa Bay were hot and heavy on Saffold, and that Oakland may be his final destination. Herman would not comment on potential suitors.

It's clear, however, that Saffold is going to make more money in his new home than the Rams were offering which led to notifying the Rams of Saffold's decision.

"Kevin is a good person and a good businessman," Herman said. "He's wonderful to work with in these types of situations. The Rams made a valiant effort. But it's pretty hard to have multiple people making big dollars on the offensive line."

That was a reference, of course, to Jake Long. Long was signed to a four-year, $34 million free-agent contract last March to play left tackle. That signing moved Saffold to right tackle, a move he was not happy with. Then, after missing four games because of a knee injury, Saffold wasn't happy when he didn't regain his starting job there. To his credit, he never spoke out against the Rams, but it was clear what his feelings were.

Saffold blossomed at right guard over the final half of the season, and now is on the verge of signing a lucrative free-agent contract elsewhere. "Lucrative" will be in excess of $7 million a year. How much above $7 million is uncertain.

"Kevin was very gracious and said he was happy that Rodger had done well for himself," Herman said.

Losing Saffold may make the Rams more likely to draft an offensive lineman _ maybe a guard and a tackle. The Rams also have offensive guards Chris Williams and Shelley Smith about to hit the market as unrestricted free agents.

Both Williams and Smith are getting calls from other teams during the 3-day negotiating window before the official start of free agency Tuesday, according to league sources. The Rams have expressed at least modest interest in re-signing both players.

There are some guards about to hit the market, such as Zane Beadles of Denver, and Jon Asamoah and Geoff Schwartz _ both of Kansas City. In addition, Tampa Bay reportedly is releasing two-time Pro Bowler Davin Joseph.